Thoughts and musings from a writer, editor, photographer, activist, and musician in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I believe that faith and social action are intertwined in efforts to positively motivate change in the society around us. We need to be actively involved in our communities to try to effect this change locally and globally. I also love the local Arts scene. Warning: alternative perspectives and strong opinions ahead. Intimidated yet? Good - read on.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Water is a Human Right

This blog post is written as part of Blog Action Day 2010.A few years ago I switched from buying bottled water to a reusable metal container. Water should not be treated as a commodity used by large corporations to make profit hundreds of times over while re-selling the same substance that is found dripping out of our taps.

While millions of people go daily without clean water, we buy it out of vending machines. We forget to turn off the faucet while we brush our teeth. We take showers for as long as we want, without fear of running out of this precious substance.

Access to clean drinking water is a human right. When those of us in a more fortunate position buys water, we are undermining this fact. We should not be supporting companies making billions off of such a simple, yet for some so elusive substance of sustenance.

I encourage everyone to buy a reusable container for water (and other beverages) - it will help the environment by using fewer plastic bottles, save you money (at two or three dollars a pop/water, a $20 metal bottle will pay for itself quickly), and stop lining the pockets of greedy corporations who have put a price tag on something almost as common and necessary as air.